We went to my friend's house for dinner one night and she apoligised for "running out of paper towels". I told her it was okay because we don't waste our money on paper towels. She then immediatly said okay I have to confess...We don't buy them either. I don't know why she was embaressed.

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Wife to Nathan (09.10.05)
Mommy to Hope (10.10.06)

I rarely get a soda or tea at a restaurant either. And anymore at most places they seem so watered down that it's not much different from drinking water! On the rare occasion that I treat myself to one, I ask at the end of the meal if I can get my drink "to go". Sometimes the waitperson will bring a cup for me to pour my drink into, sometimes they give me a brand new drink. I think only once a restaurant did not have "to-go" cups.

I think people in our small town are more frugal than average. When I go out with a group, more than half generally order "water with lemon". I have started saying that too, it sounds less cheap than asking for "ice water".

The things I do like that I do for dh's sake. Not that I think he really cares but I still do it anyway. Like his vitamins. I buy the expensive kind or I refill his expensive bottle with the cheap ones. I did it at first because when he shops for that sort of thing he doesn't think the store brand will be as effective just because they are cheaper. But after a couple bottle of cheap ones (that he didn't know are cheap)

Sometimes I still do it for him though. I don't want his friends to think we can't afford things but then again I don't think dh or any of his friends really care either. Maybe I'm just insane.

DH always buys pop or beer at the restaurant when we go out which is something we never did growing up. I always order water. I hate to pay $2 for soda and really I think its a great way to get in some extra water because I know I never drink enough.

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Proud mommy to adorable Kinsley

I don't mind ordering water in a restaurant, but having waitressed, I will never make my own lemonade or bring in crystal lite packets to make my own drinks. I feel like that crosses the line between being frugal and cheating the system. You wouldn't bring food from home and expect a seat in a restaurant to eat it.

My brother and sister get embarrassed if I use coupons. They would rather spend the extra money than use a coupon, even if I have an extra. My sister would also rather spend money on disposable diapers for my daughter than use the cloth ones that I have.

Kayleigh